i've got a 9mth old westie who keeps running away. When hes out on the leash he doesn't pull if you let him off he runs away so i started just dropping the leash which was easier to grab i have tried treats but he ignores me completely today he ran away when my daughter opened the front door it took me 45 mins to get him back. He was in all the neighbours gardens so i walked away and called his name and didn't look back neither did he he went the opposite way it was only when a lady up the road brought her dog out that he went to sniff him and she caught him he knew it was wrong because he went home and straight to his bed and faced the wall without me saying anything what can i do?

hi

don't let him off the lead get an extension lead ,don't punish him for too long dogs forget what their being punished for in the end 'although i do sympathise with you and i always envy people who are having a nice walk around the park with their pooch off lead ,mine too runs off!

Somewhere there is a thread on teaching the recall -I think it starts with an asterisk but I cannot find it -could anyone "bump" it as it may well help these members?

Christine

I think your best bet would be to go along to a reputable training class who will help you to build up a relationship with your dog so he wants to come back to you - if you are in the UK look for an APDT trainer, and go along to the class before you sign up to see if it would suit you and your dog - they can also help you with any other issues you may have with your Westie :)

I don't yet have a dog (just waiting and dreaming for the right one) but I have started my homework. I borrowed a great video called Basic dog training by Colin Tennant, in which he has included the recall. It's a great idea to get a video as you get much more scope than from a book.
Hope that's helpful.
:-)